not sincerely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not sincerely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a lack of genuine sentiment, often in a closing of a letter or message. Example: "Thank you for your feedback, but I must respond with my thoughts, not sincerely, John."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He is not sincerely for liberalization.

The New Yorker

He is not sincerely thanking you, but that pause will break your heart.

The New Yorker

It would be a serious error to believe that it has not sincerely wrestled with the seductive challenge of democracy, with the fact that the Egyptian faithful like the idea of voting for their leaders.

The New York Times

The basic doctrine of the Khārijites was that a person or a group who committed a grave error or sin and did not sincerely repent ceased to be Muslim.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So if they do not sincerely believe that they can accept the requirements of a conception of justice and conform their actions and life plans accordingly, then these are strong reasons to avoid choosing those principles.

SEP

Hobbes adds one proviso here, which may be called the "sincerity clause," namely that one violates the law of nature, or acts without right, when one acts in a way that one does not sincerely believe contributes to one's preservation (1.10n).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In 2004 Mr Blair told the Labour Party's annual conference: "I can apologise for the information that turned out to be wrong, but I can't, sincerely at least, apologise for removing Saddam".

Independent

Surely they can't sincerely think it's acceptable for children to leave school (as mine have all done) knowing nothing whatever about the Norman conquest, the English civil war or the Glorious Revolution, but plenty (well, a bit) about the Third Reich, the New Deal and the civil rights movement?

The Guardian - Opinion

Blair did say in a speech to Labour party conference in 2004, over a year after the invasion: "I can apologise for the information [about WMDs] that turned out to be wrong, but I can't, sincerely at least, apologise for removing Saddam.

The Guardian

As Shiny Shiny writes, it's "so great for sports enthusiasts" and who among us doesn't sincerely enjoy sport?

TechCrunch

"We're not saying you should only stay at your company if you want to [organise a ] barbecue with your team every weekend, but if you don't sincerely enjoy and respect the people you spend 10 hours a day with, you can be sure you will eventually decide to leave your organisation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives like "insincerely" or "dishonestly" for more direct and impactful language.

Common error

Avoid using "not sincerely" when a more direct statement of dishonesty is appropriate; ensure the subtlety doesn't obscure your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not sincerely" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying a verb or adjective to indicate a lack of genuineness. According to Ludwig, this implies the absence of true feeling or intention behind an action or statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not sincerely" serves as an adverbial modifier to express a lack of genuineness or authenticity in an action or statement. As highlighted by Ludwig, its neutral register and prevalent use in News & Media, Science and Wiki suggest its value in objective and precise communication. While interchangeable with terms like "insincerely" or "dishonestly", writers should be mindful of the subtle difference, choosing the word that best conveys their intended degree of skepticism and meaning. Its uncommon usage suggests that although it is correct, it is not commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincerely

Direct antonym, replacing the phrase with a single adverb.

without sincerity

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase.

not genuinely

Substitutes "sincerely" with "genuinely", keeping the negative and adverbial form.

dishonestly

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverb implying deception.

falsely

Suggests the expression is untrue or misleading.

hypocritically

Implies a contradiction between expressed beliefs and actual behavior.

without meaning it

Conveys the lack of true intent or feeling behind the words or actions.

not in earnest

Indicates the expression is not serious or truthful.

disingenuously

Similar to "insincerely" but suggests a level of artfulness or calculation.

with feigned emotion

Specifies that the emotion expressed is not real, but simulated.

FAQs

How can I use "not sincerely" in a sentence?

You can use "not sincerely" to express doubt about the genuineness of an action or statement. For example: "He apologized, but it seemed "not sincerely"."

What are some alternatives to "not sincerely"?

Alternatives include "insincerely", "dishonestly", or "without sincerity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sincerely" or "genuinely"?

Both "sincerely" and "genuinely" imply truthfulness, but "sincerely" often suggests a deeper emotional commitment, while "genuinely" emphasizes authenticity. Replacing "not sincerely" with "not genuinely" might fit better depending on the context.

What's the difference between "not sincerely" and "falsely"?

"Not sincerely" suggests a lack of genuine feeling or honesty, while "falsely" implies a deliberate misrepresentation of facts. The former is about the spirit, the latter about the truth.